I'm Glad I didn't listen...

lulwut said:
For those of you who are posting the "recommend a knife to me" threads... I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I'm glad I didn't take (nearly) everyone's advice here and get a $200 knife. Instead, I picked my knife based off of the features it had, rather than "better" materials and brand name reputation.

I've had an expensive Benchmade knife in the past; it was very uncomfortable to grip tightly and the blade swung open way to easily (which is bad when it's inside your pocket). It now sits in a desk drawer at my parent's house.
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You learned a good lesson. Balancing features, materials & cost. This isn't news to anyone who is into serious knife use.

Features are important; they define your preferences in the type & style of knives you carry & use. But:

Features ain't squat if what you buy is made of sh!t materials. I've got a drawer full of knives ranging from junk to brand-name types. Some were gifts, some I bought, but they all have one thing in common: while most had some nice 'features', they didn't last. And this was just during regular use, too. Another factor is Manufacturing, specifically, heat-treat. (One of the worst knives I ever had was made of AUS-8, like your CRKT. One of the best (I still have) is made of 420. Go figure.)

Finally: Cost. features and materials (and mfg.) don't matter if you can't afford it anyway. Sounds to me like cost was a big factor for you.

So, you'll have to decide what works within your price range, and go from there.

Now, I know saying all that sounds academic, but I said that to preface this:

There is a huge amount of experience on these forums, from law enforcement, survival experts, EMT's, military types, veterans, hunters, individual makers, manufacturers, you name it. I've asked some very specific questions on these forums and have never failed to get an answer back.

Stick around, be humble, have fun. Maybe it's just me, but the tone of your post here sends the message that you don't appreciate the time these guys spent to answer your question. Just something to think about . . .

thx - cpr

ps: I'm glad you got what you liked, which is the point anyway. But in a short while, you'll probably be replacing the CRKT, if you bought it for heavy use.
 
Lulwut stated in his post that

"I'm looking for a folding knife to carry just in case I need to defend myself. It won't be something I'll use every day."

It looks like he found what he was looking for, and now he is happy.
It is clearly he is not looking for a high class folding knife.
I doubt if he will be staying on this forum after it seems he found his ideal "self defense knife"
 
No offense to the OP, this is meant in general: anyone satisfied with cheaply made knives will have no interest in being in this forum for more than a year. It's the yearning for quality that keeps guys coming back.
 
Almost anyone will start off wich cheap knives, I always remember since kid to like knives. I can remember having a fixed blade with the tip broken and a black folder for around the age of 9. My first knife, with more interest in quality knives, I bought was like 8 years ago - actually a CRKT KISS tanto serrated and I still own it.
And back then I didn't even were around in the foruns to help with my decision.

Today I have a nice collection, but since my CRKT purchase I sold a BUNCH of them, because they were mistakes.

If it was today I went directlly to a $200 knive, and I bet most of the users here did the same, and it is why they told you to directly jump on a bit more expensive knive, because you would skip part of the learning curve.
 
lulwut said:
Like I said in the post, this is meant for all of those who are trying to decide on what to buy.

And I doubt I'll still be on these forums in a year.
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I'm happy you found a knife you like, but it's rather assuming to suggest that everyone should opt for a cheap knife rather than a quality one. It's all in what you're in to, what you want the knife to do for you, and how much you're willing to spend. If someone wants a top quality knife, they should NOT assume that a CRKT is the way to go just because you enjoy yours.
 
Ya get what ya pays for...Ya should have paid for a Kershaw.:D.
 
The discussion of pricing is getting skewed. The CRKT quality may be in question for some/many, but it is not an inexpensive knife when compared to Spydercos, Benchmades, and Kershaws, among others. We could argue if an Endura or a Griptilian might have been a better choice, just keep in mind that's the price range of this knife, it isn't $10 pakistani work.

not to mention how many long time members carry Opinels, one or two layer Victorinoxes, Buck 110s, etc. There's cheap, and there's inexpensive.
 
lulwut said:
For those of you who are posting the "recommend a knife to me" threads... I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but I'm glad I didn't take (nearly) everyone's advice here and get a $200 knife. Instead, I picked my knife based off of the features it had, rather than "better" materials and brand name reputation.

I've had an expensive Benchmade knife in the past; it was very uncomfortable to grip tightly and the blade swung open way to easily (which is bad when it's inside your pocket). It now sits in a desk drawer at my parent's house.

Here's my CRKT M16-13SF (the smaller Special Forces model).

http://www.crkt.com/m16spfrc.html
6q22ivp.jpg
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I gave that model to my lil bro for his 13th birthday and he loves it, he's beat the crap out of it for almost three years and its still, ugly and doing all the things knives should. Namely cut stuff and be a tool. Where as alot of the safe queen holders on this forum are of a more speculative breed. Its good you got what makes you happy!
 
darklight said:
Almost anyone will start off wich cheap knives, I always remember since kid to like knives. I can remember having a fixed blade with the tip broken and a black folder for around the age of 9. My first knife, with more interest in quality knives, I bought was like 8 years ago - actually a CRKT KISS tanto serrated and I still own it.
And back then I didn't even were around in the foruns to help with my decision.

Today I have a nice collection, but since my CRKT purchase I sold a BUNCH of them, because they were mistakes.

If it was today I went directlly to a $200 knive, and I bet most of the users here did the same, and it is why they told you to directly jump on a bit more expensive knive, because you would skip part of the learning curve.
Click to expand...

I was on that road with telescopic and non-telescopic batons (making mistakes and gradually improving after close call with bankruptcy), then knives (same old, same old), then damascus knives and then now... folders!!!

I fully agree with ya mate, been down that road. Reminds me that song "I wish I knew then, what I know now, when I was yyyoungerrrr....!". HOWEVER I'm having extreme difficulty convincing myself for a 100++ when a 25++ (cough S&W cough CRKT cough) has much less damage. FYI, I'm living in Malaysia where cost of living is approx 4 times lower than the US. 100 USD is almost 1/4 monthly salary!!!

Back then, big+mean+tactical+sharp is good. Now I realise a certain finess (spelling? you know what I mean) is required. Pocket fitting, good steel, sharpening, bladeplay, reliability, knife edge, locking system, material and lastly BRAND should be what one analyses. I second your advice darklight but I can't help myself... anyone wanna dump an old Benchmade or SOG on a starving knife deprived forumite? :D

Just kidding, it's more meaningful to gettit myself. Heart wrenching (wallet emptying) or not.

PS: I'm for a Chinook III, Benchmade Emerson 4 Wave and SOG Spec Elite 2.
 
Thats for sure. I am amazed at how many people think that throwing a hand full of money will always get you quality and spending a lot less means you got an inferior product. Many times the Old "you get what you pay for" is pure BUNK.

On the other hand, its not really kosher to ask for advice and then kick dirt on those who responded.:grumpy:
 
The beauty of the capitalist economic system is that we all have a choice.

Some of us are satisfied with a Hyundai, and some of us drive a Cadillac.

If you like your CRKT, more power to ya!:thumbup:

I'l stick to Bob Dozier and Bark River. :D

(But then, I am an unabashed, and unapologetic knife snob!:p)
 
Well, I'm glad "lulwut" found a knife he's happy with & that fit his budget. I fully understand the need to stay within that.

I also understand that lulwut merely asked Forumite's opinions & that the final say is fully up to him. No problem there, either.

OTOH, maybe it is good that lulwut doesn't think he'll still be a Forum member within a year, as his "attitude" downright stinks (Or comes across that way), & you certainly haven't posted anything since, to change that opinion. Do you honestly not mind if someone asks you for an opinion & then you reply to them, that their opinion wasn't right?

It's an opinion, but the least you could do is be polite about not using it, & I don't think ANY member would've minded. That's why you're getting negative comments about your CRKT.

I'm glad you like it. If you actually use it with any regularity, I doubt you'll be holding onto it (Or at the very least, you'll probably replace it).

The money spent is not the final say on the quality of the knife, but as has been said, you could've spent about the same amount on a better quality knife. The Spyderco Delica/Endura 4 (In any of it's offerings) would be ideal. Kershaw A/O's come to mind, too, & they'll probably last longer.

When I got into knives (About a year ago), I would've NEVER thought I'd have a Sebenza or Strider (I have 2 now). That's the neat thing about this addiction, uh...hobby :D You never know where it's going to take you.

Enjoy your knife.
 
If you get the Knife bug like most people here on these forums you will be buying more knives soon! If not then you probably will be happy with your knife until it wears out and you have to buy a new one. So enjoy! It's your knife.
Btw if you lurk around on this forum too long you may become addicted. :)
 
I'm glad I listened and now I will be spending my moolah on a Kershaw Junkyard Dog II for a little more than a S&W. I figure with reviews (In BF) and the low price tag it's a catch. Plus it's almost a framelock.

Though there is a titanium version for 3 times the price and it is a framelock. Maybe I should go for that. Plus, it's a San Mai. Decision decisions...

Yeah dmonay, I've been hooked, line & sinker :)
 
If anyone wants a solid cheap to buy frame-lock-that is thin to carry and very tough for the buck go to Waly-Mart and get a Kershaw Storm. For a bit over 30 dollars it's a great buy.
 
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